Bubble-forming method and apparatus



Oct. 30, 1962 A. PANlco, JR 3,060,626

BUBBLE-pomme METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed May l0, 1961 ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent Office 3,666,626 Patented Get. 30, 1962 3,060,626BUBBLE-FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS Anthony Panico, Jr., 760 N. TrentonAve., Atlantic City, NJ.

Filed May 10, 1961, Ser. No. 109,179 8 Claims. (Cl. 46-7) This inventionrelates to a method and apparatus for inflating a liquid iilm, so as tomake bubbles from a liquid.

While the method and apparatus of the instant invention are illustratedand described hereinafter, for clarity, in a form suited for use as atoy of the bubble-pipe variety, it is understood that the instantinvention is capable of many diverse applications, say in the processindustries, and elsewhere, wherever it is desirable to form a thin filmof liquid inflated with gas, and all of such applications are intendedto be comprehended herein.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a novel method andapparatus for inflating with gas a thin film of liquid, wherein may beproduced more accurately controlled bubbles, as to shape, size, filmthickness, uniformity of film distribution, etc.

The instant invention further contemplates the provision of uniquemethod and apparatus for forming bubbles, wherein a positivelycontrolled, continuous supply of bubbles may be produced according todesired standards of quality and quantity.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amethod and apparatus for forming thin liquid films inflated with gas,having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the precedingparagraphs, which are extremely simple in operation and structure,entirely reliable, and relatively inexpensive in manufacture and use.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which thescope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a top perspective view showing apparatus constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially along theline 2-2 of FIGURE l illustrating the interior of the apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view showing a slightly modified form ofapparatus constructed in accordance with the instant invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevational view similar to FIGURE 2, butshowing another slightly modified ernbodiment of the instant invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFIGURES l and 2 thereof, the apparatus is there generally designated 10,and includes a lower receptacle or container 11 and an upper cover orclosure 12 on the container.

As best seen in FIGURE 2, the conta-iner or receptacle 11 may constitutean upwardly opening cup having a bottom wall 14, and a peripheral sidewall 13 upstanding from the bottom wall. The cup or container 11 isadapted to receive a quantity of liquid to be iniiated in a thin film,as will appear presently.

The closure or cover 12 may be arranged as a lid over the upper open endof the container 11, and includes a generally horizontal coveringportion or wall 15 having depending therefrom a peripheral skirt or wall16 which may engage about and be secured by any suitable means, sayadhesive or cement, to the upper end region of container 11. Alsoextending peripherally about the horizontal wall 15 is an upstandingwall or rail 17, which combines with the upper surface of horizontalwall 15 to define an upwardly facing recess or receptacle 24.

Located centrally of the horizontal part or wall 15, and extendingvertically therethrough, is a bore or hole 18. A hollow, open-endedmounting member or tube 19 extends vertically, closely through the bore1S, having its upper end projecting upward beyond the horizontal wall 15and located in spaced relation within the upstanding peripheral wall oriiange 17, While the lower end of the mounting tube depends below thewall 15 to a point in spaced relation within the skirt 16. The mountingtube 19 may be integral with or secured to the horizontal wall 15 by anysuitable means, such as cement.

On the upper end of the mounting tube 19 is located a bubble support orpad, generally designated 20. The pad 20 is disposed generallyhorizontally and arranged over the upper end of the mounting tube 19. Asleeve or collar 21 depends from the underside of the pad 20, beingcircumposed about and secured by cement or other suitable means to theupper end of the mounting tube `19. On the upper side of the pad 20 isformed a smoothly arcuate, concave upwardly facing surface 22, while athrough opening or port 23 extends vertically through the central regionof the pad communicating between the ambient region over the pad and theupper interior region of the mounting tube 19. The pad Z0 may be ofgenerally circular outline in plan and of a diameter considerably lessthan that of the upstanding peripheral -wall 17.

Depending from the central region of pad 20, proximate to the throughport 23, is a feed conduit 25. More particularly, the feed conduit 25may have its upper end opening upwardly through the upwardly `facingsurface 22 of the pad 20, being secured to the pad by any suitablemeans, and depends therefrom through and beyond the lower end ofmounting tube 19 into a lower region of the container 11.

Formed in the horizontal cover wall 15 may be one or more generallyupstanding through bores, ports or openings 27, which define nozzlesproducing gas jets or streams, as will appear more full hereinafter. Inthe illustrated embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2, the nozzles or jetopenings 27 are two in number and arranged in equally spaced relation,diametrically on opposite sides of the mounting tube 19. Further, as maybe observed in FIG- URE 2, the nozzles 27 lie in the same generallyvertical plane passing through the axis of mounting tube 19 and pad 20,and may be inclined upwardly toward each other. Further, the nozzles 27are located in the cover wall 15 spaced radially outward from the tube19 beyond the pad 20 and disposed to issue gas jets or streams 37 upwardradially or laterally outward of the pad so as not to be obstructed bythe latter. Thus, the direction of the nozzles 27 may approach theradial to the center of curvature of the upper pad surface 22.

A gas-inlet conduit or tube 30 may have one end connected t0 the skirt16 of cover 12 by any suitable means, and opening therethrough to theundersidev of the cover wall 15 for communication with the upper regionof container 11. Also, a generally horizontal restriction plate orbaffle 31 may be provided interiorly of the cover skirt 16, below thegas-inlet tube 30. The baflie 31 may extend substantially but notentirely across the upper end of container 11, so as to minimize orrestrict the passage of fluid thereby upon inversion of the apparatus,without destroying fluid communication between the inlet conduit 30 andthe container 11.

In accordance with the method of the instant invention, a quantity ofliquid 33 is contained in the lower region of receptacle 11, beingsufiicient to immerse the lower end of feed conduit 25. Air or other gasin introduced through the inlet conduit 3o, as indicated by the arrow34. The gas enters beneath the cover wall 15 and partially passesdownward, by-passing the baiiie 31 and into the upper region ofcontainer 11, see arrows 35. The remainder of the entering gas 34 passesupward, as indicated by arrows 36 through the nozzles or openings 27 andissues therefrom as jets 37.

The gas iiow 35 entering the upper region of container 11 above thelevel of liquid 33 applies pressure to the liquid to force the feedthereof upward through the conduit 25 to the upper surface 22 of pad 20.The flow, and hence the rate of feed through conduit 25 is constrictedby the relatively small diameter of the conduit. From the upper regionof the container 11, below the barile 31, the gas flow 35 may passupward through the mounting tube 19, as at 38, and thence upward throughthe port 23 of the pad 2). It is this gas liow 38 through the port 23that serves to inflate liquid fed to the upper pad surface 22 throughthe conduit 25, and thereby deine a liquid iilm inated with gas or abubble 40.

The bubble 4t?, of course, grows progressively as liquid is fed throughconduit 25 to the pad surface 22, and as the liquid is intiated by gasflow 38 upward through port 23. During inflation of the bubble 4), thegas jets 37 impinge upon the undersurface of the bubble, in theillustrated embodiment impinging generally normal to the bubble surface,to effectively suport the lower weightcarrying wall portions of thebubble. Of course, the number of nozzles 27 and jets 37 may be selected,as desired for the particular purpose. As the pad surface 22 isrelatively small, thereby minimizing the tendency of the bubble 40 toadhere, disengagement of the bubble from the pad occurs realtivelyeasily. Further, the precise moment of disengagement, say when thebubble has reached a desired size, may be accurately controlled by thenozzles 27 and their gas jets or streams 37. That is, a slight surge orburst of gas in the jets 37 is suiiicient to overcome the adherence ofbubble 4G to pad 20 and disengage the bubble from the pad. Not only dothe jets 37 serve to disengage the bubble 46 from the pad 20, but thejets further serve to form the shape of the bubble and may be arrangedas desired for this purpose. In addition, the jets 37 insure movement ofthe bubble 40 away from the pad 2G in a desired direction, sayvertically upward, or otherwise, according to the direction of the jets.Even further, the jets 37 provide a iiuid force, during formation of thebubble 40, tending to more evenly distribute the liquid film of thebubble and resist the tendency of the lm to gravitate toward the lowerregion of the bubble, which results in a stronger bubble structure.

The above-described method may, of course, be repeated indefinitely,assuming a sufficient supply of liquid and gas. Also, subsequent to theformation of the first bubble, a residue of liquid remains on the upperpad surface 22 and ilows to the gas port 23, preferably being retainedtherein by adhesion or capillary action, so as to be ready for theformation of the next succeeding bubble.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 3 is shown bubbleforming apparatus a, whichis substantially identical to the apparatus 10 of FIGURES 1 and 2,except that the nozzles 27a formed in the horizontal cover wall 15a ofcover 12a are disposed in a direction having a component generallytangential to the vertical axis of the pad a.

By this construction, jets issuing against the underside of a bubbleinclude a force component generally tangential to the bubble. Thiseffects rotary action or spinning of the bubble during bubble formationand disengagement to further insure uniform distribution of the liquidiilrn about the bubble.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGURE 4, the apparatus there illustratedis generally designated 10b and similar to that of FIGURES 1 and 2,including a lower receptacle or container 11b and an upper cover orclosure 12b on the container.

The closure or cover 12b may be arranged as a lid over the upper openend of the container or cup 11b, and includes a generally horizontalcovering portion or wall 15b having a depending peripheral skirt or wall16b engaged about and suitably secured to the upper end region of thecontainer. The horizontal wall 15b may be formed with through jetopenings or nozzles 27b, and provided about its periphery with anupstanding wall or rail 17b.

By way of difference from the tirstdescribed embodiment, the cover 12bmay be provided with a separator member or wall 31b extending in spacedrelation beneath the wall 15b and completely across the space within theskirt 16b to deine a closed chamber 45 within the skirt.

A hollow, open-ended mounting member or tube 19b extends verticallythrough the horizontal wall 15b, the chamber 45, and the separator plateor wall 31b, having its upper and lower ends communicating,respectively, upward beyond the wall 15b and downward beyond theseparator 3111. A bubble-support pad 20b is mounted on the upper end oftube 19b, and has depending therefrom downward through and beyond thelower end of the tube 19b a feed conduit 25b, all being similar to thepad 20 and conduit 25 of the first-described embodiment.

Fluid-inlet means, generally designated 3011, may be provided throughthe skirt 1Gb, and in the instant embodiment may include a pair ofseparate conduits 46 and 47. The conduit 46 may communicate at itsreceiving end with one source of iiuid supply, say an air source, andmay open at its discharge end into the chamber 45, as indicated byarrows 48. Thus, the gas or air entering through supply conduit 46 tothe chamber 45 is closed to the container 11b below the separator 3111,and can only pass upward and outward through the nozzles 27b to providejets 37b.

The supply conduit 47 may have its inlet end connected to a separatesupply source, say a lightweight gas (not shown) or other desiredsource, and may have its discharge end communicating directly with theinterior of container 11b below the separator 31b and above the liquidlevel, as shown by arrow 49. The gas entering through conduit 47 is thusclosed to communication with the chamber 45 and may only pass upwardthrough the mounting tube 19b, as shown by arrow 50, for upwarddischarge through the pad 20b. Also, the gas entering through conduit 47serves to feed liquid upward through the conduit 25b.

It will now be appreciated that a bubble 40b may be intiated in theembodiment of FIGURE 4 by a -gas from one source, as supplied throughconduit 47, while the nozzle streams or jets 37b may be formed by gas orair from a separate source. Further, suitable pressure or flow controlmay be applied to the conduits 46 and 47 for separately regulating theinflating and jet gases.

From the foregoing it is seen that the present invention provides aunique and advantageous method for inflating liquid tilms with gas toform bubbles, which fully accomplish their intended objects and arewell-adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and practice.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for intiating a liquid film comprising a container forliquid, a cover over and closing said container, a bubble-support pad onsaid cover and having a port communicating generally vertically throughsaid pad between the interior of said container and the upper side ofsaid pad, a conduit depending from said pad having its upper end openingupward through said pad and its lower end depending to a lower region ofsaid container for immersion in said liquid, and means for introducinggas into an upper region of said container above the level of saidliquid for feeding liquid upward through said conduit to said pad andsimultaneously discharging gas through said port to inflate a iilm ofsaid liquid, said cover being provided with a plurality of nozzlescommunicating upward through said cover for issuing gas from the saidintroducing means into lifting engagement with the underside of a bubbleon said pad.

2. A device for iniiatin-g a liquid iilm -according to claim 1 incombination with separator means separating the region of said containerover said liquid from fluid communication with said nozzles, andseparate uid-conduit means communicating with Opposite sides of saidseparator means for independently supplying gases to said container andnozzles.

3. A device for iniiating a liquid iilm according to claim 1, saidnozzles being spaced circumferentially about said pad.

4. A device for inating a liquid film according to claim 3, said nozzlesbeing directed upwardly and inwardly to issue gas streams approximatelynormal to a bubble.

5. A device for inatin'g a liquid iilm according to claim 3, saidnozzles being directed to issue gas streams having a component generallytangential to a bubble for rotating the latter.

6. A device for inating a liquid iilm according to claim l, incombination with a baie extending across the upper region of saidcontainer` above the liquid level therein, to minimize spillage.

7. In the method of forming a thin lilm of liquid iniiated with gas, thesteps which comprise: providing an upwardly -facing support pad, feedingliquid to the upper surface of said pad, simultaneously feeding gasupward through said pad to inilate said liquid and define a bubble, andissuing a gas stream toward the underside of a bubble on said pad todisengage the bubble from said pad, said `gas stream being issuedobliquely upward to impart a rotational force to said bubble for uniformdistribution of the liquid about said bubble.

8. In the method of forming a thin film of liquid inflated wit-h gas,the steps which comprise: providing an upwardly facing support pad,feeding liquid to the upper surface of said pad, simultaneously feedinggas upward through said pad to iniiate said liquid and deiine a bubble,and `discharging a plurality of gas streams upwardly and locatedradially outwardly beyond said pad toward the underside of a bubble onsaid pad with said streams cach having a component generally tangentialto said bubble, for imparting rotational and lifting `forces to saidbubble.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,711,6112 Wister June 28, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 701,299 Great Britain Dec.23, 1953

